Summer Solstice 2010

Little Egypt Maintain Another Tradition

Not One, Not, Two, Not Three...

The chalk board outside the Queen's Head pub in Hawkedon said it all - dancers, straw man, food, fire and a virgin. A virgin?
Would we be lucky this year and find one of those elusive creatures?

It all started well, a fine evening, plenty of dancers and musicians plus our guests Westrefelda and the Haverhill Harlots (in their new 2010 "St Trinians" kit)
dancing with the traditional hockey stick.

The Straw Man (Thank you Mr Bangs) was all ready, and following a quick inspection
by the Squire his modesty was preserved with a whitish apron. Dances were danced with enthusiasm and a large crowd had come along to watch the spectacle.

Mr Bangs persuaded Westrefelda to let him join them for Gypsy Roundhouse which he executed in his usual inimitable style.

However, beneath the relaxed atmosphere of fun and frolics lurked a serious problem.
The landlord Scott had not been able, so far, to find a virgin amongst his customers.
Would this mean that the tradition of asking a virgin maid to escort the Straw Man to his fiery end might not be continued this year?

In despair Squire Neville lifted his golden megaphone to his lips to call for a volunteer virgin to undertake this essential task.
There was silence amongst the crowd but slowly, slowly a shadowy figure was seen weaving amongst the assembled throng.
Then another, and another, and another. Suddenly we had four virgins!

Neville conducted them to the Straw Man's station and, whipping off the whitish apron invited all four to inspect his (the Straw Man's) tackle.
A moment of stunned silence was followed by laughing, shrieking and blushing (although the virgins seemed completely unphased by the size of his Spanish onions).

The Straw Man was paraded towards the waiting bonfire and placed on top.
The Little Egypt Fire Wardens checked that one of the fair maids had some matches about her person and within moments the bonfire and the Straw Man were ablaze.

Tradition had been preserved, and another fine night with the Morris was enjoyed.